Kingston, ON Getaway: Unbeatable Home2 Suites Deals!
Kingston Getaway: Home2 Suites, A Messy Love Letter to a Hotel (and Kingston)
Alright, buckle up, Buttercups. This ain't your sterile, perfectly-phrased hotel review. This is a messy, honest, and maybe even slightly sarcastic ode to the Home2 Suites in Kingston, Ontario. "Unbeatable Deals," they say? Well, let's dissect this experience piece by piece, like I’m tearing apart a questionable buffet dessert (which, by the way, I may or may not have indulged in…).
Accessibility - Yeah, They're Trying (and That's Important)
Okay, first impressions. The Home2 Suites in Kingston? They get the importance of accessibility. I’m talking elevators (a win!), and I think I saw signage for accessible rooms. Now, I didn't personally need it this time, but just knowing they're trying to accommodate everyone gives me warm fuzzies. HUGE points for that. Accessibility is a must and they seemed to take it seriously.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges - Ugh. So-So.
Well, this is where things get a little… meh. I didn’t see a dedicated accessible restaurant within the hotel. You’re likely hoofing it outside for that. Honestly, I was hoping for more, especially with the emphasis on "getaway." It's a letdown, but maybe I missed something. (I do have a tendency to be easily distracted, you see. Shiny things, you know?)
Wheelchair Accessible - More of a Plus (Hope So)
Again, I'm relying on observation here. They've got a ramp leading in, which seems promising. But without having a wheelchair user on my trip, I can't give a definitive thumbs up. Gotta trust they are as accessible as they say they are.
Internet Access: Thank GOD for Wi-Fi (and the Occasional LAN Adventure)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! Seriously, this is a must in the 21st century. I need to be connected, I need to Netflix and chill, and I need to avoid my responsibilities. The connection was pretty solid, which is crucial when you’re trying to binge-watch something juicy. And, they DO have internet [LAN]. Probably won't use it, but knowing it's there is cool.
Things To Do / Ways To Relax - Wait, Is This a Hotel or a Spa?!
Okay, now we’re getting to the good stuff… or at least the potentially good stuff. There is a fitness center (gasp!), and they had a pool! No pool view, sadly, but hey, a pool is a pool, right? Sauna? Steamroom? (I can't remember, my memory is a sieve). But here's the kicker: there was no actual spa. No body scrubs, no body wraps, no massages to be had, which is a huge letdown. They are selling you relaxation, but it's like they forgot to put the actual ingredients in the cake.
Cleanliness and Safety - Sanitized, But is it Soul-itized?
Okay, props where props are due. The Home2 Suites seemed clean. They were flaunting that anti-viral cleaning products and hand sanitizer everywhere. They’re really leaning into that “Daily disinfection in common areas” and "Rooms sanitized between stays" vibe. They were also throwing in “Physycal distancing of at least 1 meter” and “Staff trained in safety protocol.” Which is all great, and I love to "opt-out" of room sanitization. In a world of questionable hygiene, I definitely appreciated the effort. The rooms themselves felt clean, but I'm a fairly skeptical person, and no, I did not have a UV light to verify!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Breakfast, Beware!
The "Breakfast [buffet]" was… an experience. Honestly, it was a little sad. I'm not sure what time it was. I arrived late, and the food was like a culinary ghost of its former self. Cold scrambled eggs, questionable pastries… It wasn't the breakfast of champions. They did have coffee, though, which is essential for functional humaning. I did consider the "Breakfast takeaway service" because I really just wasn't into the buffet. I did not, but maybe should have taken some of the stuff. They do have lots "Buffet in restaurant" options that are not what I'm after. But then again, maybe it was my expectations were too high.
Services And Conveniences - Perks and Quirks
They had a convenience store! Score! Perfect for that midnight snack attack or that forgotten toothbrush. Plus, the air conditioning was bliss. They have a "business facilities" and facilities for disabled guests, which sounds good. They offered dry cleaning, which I didn't use (because I'm a slob). The elevator was fantastic because I was on a high floor. They provide "Daily housekeeping" – which is good! They have a terrace, which I did not notice much. But the staff did help me with "luggage storage."
For The Kids - Family Fun?
They claim to be "Family/child friendly." However, there's not a lot listed that particularly caters to kids at this hotel, no kids facilities. I didn't notice any, but maybe I missed something.
Access, Safety, and Security - Fortress or Fiasco?
CCTV in common areas? Check. CCTV outside property? Check. Hotel chain? Check. I felt safe, which is essential. The security was 24-hour, which is a bonus. Non-smoking rooms are something of a must-have these days. They also offered "Check-in/out [express]," which is great when you don't want to talk to anyone!
Getting Around - Road Trip Ready
Free parking! Hallelujah! I'm a fan of anything free, especially when it comes to parking. The airport transfer is great for travelers.
Available in All Rooms - The Essentials and the Extras
Air conditioning (THANK YOU), alarm clock, bathrobes, coffee maker. The basics. The in-room safe was a plus. The window that opens made me happy. The mini-bar was empty… a missed opportunity, I say.
The Actual Room - My Home Away From Home, for a Few Days at Least.
The room itself? Pretty standard. The bed was comfy enough, and that's what truly matters. The blackout curtains were a godsend, allowing me to sleep in until I felt like it. The shower was decent, but nothing to write home about. I loved the "Complimentary tea." The "desk" was nice for working/pretending to work. The "Internet access – wireless" was very convenient.
My Takeaway - The Kingston Getaway Experience, In a Nutshell
Okay, so, is Home2 Suites the perfect getaway? No. Is it going to blow your mind? Probably not. But, for the price and location? It's a pretty solid choice.
High Points: Convenient location, Cleanliness, free Wi-Fi, and the overall feeling of being "safe." Low Points: The breakfast buffet could be significantly improved, and lack of spa services is a bummer. It's not a "destination hotel."
Final Verdict: I'd stay here again! It's a solid, affordable option in Kingston. Would I rave about it? No. Would I recommend it to a friend? Absolutely. And that, my friends, is as honest a hotel review as you'll ever get.
Thunder Bay's BEST Hotel? Victoria Inn's Secret Revealed!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is a mess of a plan, fueled by questionable decisions and a desperate need for a fluffy hotel bed. Welcome to… the Kingston Chaos Cruise! (Or whatever I end up calling it).
The Kingston Chaos Cruise: Home2 Suites Edition (and other assorted ramblings)
Day 1: Arrival, Existential Dread, and Unnecessary Pizza
- 2:00 PM: Land in Kingston. (Well, arrive in Kingston. No luxurious private jet for this gal. Probably some budget bus, praying to the travel gods it doesn't break down.) Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, it's a drive. A long one at that, and I'm alone at the wheel. Pray for me, and the other motorists.
- 2:30 PM: Find the Home2 Suites. Pray it's actually found. I’m directionally challenged. If I end up in some sketchy back alley, it'll be a real adventure. (Spoiler alert: I'll probably spend 20 minutes just circling the block, muttering about Google Maps.)
- 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Check-in & Room Inspection. Okay, I need this to go smoothly. I've got a whole mental checklist: Cleanliness. Is the bed comfy? Crucial. Does the AC work? Ontario in the summer? You need the AC. Any weird smells? Dealbreaker. I also have to fight the urge to immediately jump on the bed and make angel wings. It’s undignified for a woman as mature as me, but come on, the temptation!
- 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: The Pizza Predicament. Right, sustenance. I am starving already, which, let's be honest, is not surprising. Pizza is the obvious choice. But which one? I start researching pizza places in Kingston. OH. MY. GOD. SO MANY CHOICES. I become paralyzed by options. This is a real issue, folks. The tyranny of choice. I read online reviews. I compare prices. I get sucked down a digital rabbit hole of marinara and mozzarella. Finally, I pick one. It's supposed to be "authentic Italian." We'll see about that. I'm half-expecting a frozen cardboard situation.
- 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Pizza Consumption & Self-Loathing. I eat the pizza. I judge the pizza. I eat some more pizza. I question my life choices while simultaneously scraping the last rogue piece of pepperoni off the box. "Did I really need the whole pizza, Jen?" Yes. Yes, I did. I watch some terrible TV and promptly fall asleep for a few hours, and then wake up.
- 9:30 PM - 10:30 PM: The late-night quest for a decent cup of coffee. The hotel "free" coffee is always the bottom of the barrel, and I'm a coffee snob. I'm on the hunt! Is there a coffee shop open? Is Tim Hortons still around? I start wandering the area, half-asleep, hoping for a caffeine miracle. If nothing's open, I'm raiding the hotel pantry. (Don't judge me!)
- 11:00 PM: Collapse into bed. Pray I’m not allergic to dust mites and that the AC actually works. Good night, sweet prince/princess.
Day 2: Fortress Frenzy and Dessert Dreams
- 8:00 AM: Wake up late. Hate alarms and sleep in.
- 8:30 AM: Eat the free breakfast, which, let's be honest, is usually a buffet of sad breakfast goods. (But hey, it's free!) I'll try to avoid eye contact with the other guests. Socializing before coffee? Hard pass.
- 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Fort Henry Madness. Okay, culture time! I'm going to actually try to learn something. Fort Henry. History! I pretend I’m interested in the cannons and the military stuff. I take way too many pictures of the ramparts because I'm a sucker for a good scenic shot. I'll probably walk right into someone talking to the cannons, or trip over the reenactors, or embarrass myself somehow. Gotta love the human experience!
- 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch & Internal Debate. Where to eat? Okay, I need something to soak up all the historical knowledge. I want something local! I look for a cute cafe. I will inevitably spend approximately half an hour debating the merits of a sandwich versus a salad. Spoiler alert: the sandwich usually wins.
- 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Downtown Kingston Exploration & Shopping Spree (maybe). I wander around the shops and galleries. I try to look cultured and not like a total tourist. I consider actually buying something. I buy a postcard. The postcard is the extent of my shopping. Then I get distracted by something shiny.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Dessert Dilemma: The Quest for the Perfect Treat. This is serious business. I'm talking ice cream? Cakes? Pastries? Oh, the possibilities! I consult Yelp reviews, Google Maps, and any local recommendations I can find. My stomach's rumbling already. I'm leaning heavily toward a massive, decadent sundae. Or maybe a whole slice of the most amazing cheesecake. The anticipation is killing me! I consider buying multiple desserts, just to be sure.
- 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Dinner Drama. Okay, back to the food game. There's a restaurant I've heard about, that sounds promising, or I will just go back to the pizza place because familiarity is a comfort.
- 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Wandering the Waterfront. If the weather cooperates, I take a stroll along the waterfront. I people-watch and I try to find something to calm my mind.
- 11:00 PM: Bedtime. Lights out. If I’m lucky, I won’t wake up at 3:00 AM, staring at the ceiling, regretting that third slice of cheesecake.
Day 3: Departure & The Long, Sad Drive Home
- 8:00 AM: Repeat breakfast routine – less enthusiasm this time. Pack.
- 9:00 AM: Check out. Say emotional goodbyes to the hotel room. Seriously, it was nice.
- 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Last-Minute Kingston Fumbles. Okay, one last shot at making the most of this trip. Maybe one last coffee, a quick visit. Probably end up running behind schedule because, well, that's just me.
- 11:00 AM: Hitting the road. The drive home. The post-vacation blues hit fast.
- Throughout the drive: Reflecting, Regretting (a little), and Planning the Next Adventure. I turn up the music, play, and start dreaming up my next trip. A little part of me will probably already be plotting my return to Kingston.
Disclaimer: This schedule is highly subject to change. I will probably get lost, eat too much, and say something embarrassing. That’s the whole point. It’s all beautiful chaos, honestly. And if I don't have a good time, I want to call for a refund of the time I took.
Most Importantly: I’m going to embrace the glorious mess of it all. Wish me luck (I’ll need it).
Escape to Paradise: Fairfield Inn Mission Viejo's Orange County Oasis!
Kingston Getaway: Home2 Suites Deals - Ask Me Anything (Seriously, I've Been There!)
Okay, Okay, Spill it! Why Kingston? And Why the Home2 Suites? Are you a shill? (Just kidding... mostly.)
Alright, alright, settle down! Kingston. Listen, it’s got something. It *really* does. It's that charming, historical… thing. You know? Like, "Oh, look, a fort! And a prison! And… yeah, lots of old buildings." But that's part of the appeal! It feels… *real*. Not like some manufactured tourist trap. And Home2 Suites? Look, I'm a Mom, a budgeter, and a sucker for a decent free breakfast. They're generally reliable. The breakfast *usually* involves waffles (essential), and they often have a pool (kids, am I right?). Plus, Kingston is… pricey. So, finding a deal at a place with some space (a suite, get it?) makes my wallet, and therefore, *me*, very happy. Am I being paid? Sadly, no. Just a woman, tired of the dishes, desperately searching for a mini-vacation. So go with me on this one. Trust me.
What's the BEST part of staying at a Home2 Suites in Kingston, from *your* (possibly weird) perspective?
Alright, this is where it gets *weird*. Prepare yourselves. Forget the fluffy towels (though they *are* nice). Forget the comfy beds (also, excellent). My absolute FAVORITE thing? THE COFFEE. Specifically, the *consistent* coffee at the breakfast bar. I'm a coffee FIEND. And on vacation, I'm a *particularly* caffeine-deprived fiend, trying to wrangle small humans. I literally wake up, stagger to the coffee machine, and consider it a spiritual experience. It’s that simple, dependable, slightly burnt, always-available hot brown liquid. Ahhh… Perfection. It makes me oddly emotional, I’m telling you. And that's before the waffles. Don't get me started on the waffle situation.
Okay, coffee won't sell it. Kingston's got *stuff* to do, right? What did *you* actually do? (Be honest. No lying about museums if you spent the day at the pool.)
Okay, fine, I confess. The pool *often* wins. But, yes, Kingston does *have* things to do. We did the Kingston Penitentiary tour. Creepy. Utterly fascinating. My kids were *terrified* (which, honestly, was a bonus for a couple of hours of good behaviour) . Seeing the cells, hearing the stories... wow. Heavy stuff. But you should ABSOLUTELY do it. Book in advance. They sell out. We also wandered around the waterfront, ate some ice cream (essential), and spent an embarrassing amount of time trying to take a decent picture of the Fort Henry (got one! It's on Instagram, I think, if you can find me... #MomAdventures). We also went on a boat tour because I misread the price and was horrified at the cost later. But, you know what? It was *gorgeous*. The islands! The breeze! The seagulls that kept swooping for my kids snacks. (I have mixed feelings about that).
Deals! Deals! Deals! Give me the skinny – What's the *real* scoop on those Home2 Suites deals? Like, how do I actually *find* them? Are they mythical creatures?
Okay. Deals are a game. I’ve got a few tricks. First, and probably most importantly: **BOOK IN ADVANCE**. Seriously. Especially weekends, holidays, etc. Kingston is popular. Prices fluctuate like crazy. I use the usual suspects: Booking.com, Expedia, directly on Hilton.com (because that's Home2 Suites' parent company). Check *all* of them! I’ve found significant differences on the *same* day! Don't be afraid to play the “deal hunter” game. Also, be flexible with your dates! Mid-week stays are often cheaper. And, sometimes, just sometimes, you get ridiculously lucky on a last-minute cancellation. But don't bank on it if you're traveling with kids and a specific timeline. Good luck, deal seekers!
The dreaded parking question. What's the parking situation like at the Home2 Suites in Kingston? Is it free? Paid? Nightmarish? (I have trust issues with parking.)
Ugh, parking. The bane of any vacation. Okay, so it varies. I've found different Home2 Suites in Kingston have different setups. Some are free, some charge a fee (usually reasonable), and some have really tight spaces (worse when you have a minivan of stuff). **CHECK THE HOTEL'S SPECIFIC INFORMATION BEFORE YOU BOOK.** Don't just assume! Read the reviews (look for parking specifically mentioned – it's always a source of contention). Call ahead and ask. If the parking situation is a deal-breaker for you, be vigilant! I've done it. I've missed a great overall deal because parking was a nightmare. It can ruin the whole experience. Consider staying in the hotel itself, which may include a free parking spot and no struggles at all.
Okay, you're *clearly* a waffler. Tell me about the breakfast spread. What's *actually* good at these breakfasts? And be real.
Alright, alright, the waffles! They *are* good. The little fresh fruit toppings are nice, if they have them. There’s usually the standard stuff: cereal (the kids LOVE this, for some bizarre reason), yogurt, oatmeal, bagels… the typical continental breakfast fare. The quality varies. Some places have fantastic hot food, some are… well, less so. But the coffee is *almost* always reliable (praise be!). And it’s FREE. Free breakfast saves you a bunch of money—especially if you have hungry teenagers with bottomless stomachs. Take advantage. Grab some pastries for the road if you're feeling daring (and sneaky). And don't judge. I've been known to take a couple of extra yogurt parfaits for the road. Don't tell anyone.
What's the BEST Home2 Suites Kingston location, in your (clearly biased) opinion? Is there a best one?
Oh man, this is tough. They're all pretty decent. But, for me, it depends on what you're after. Honestly, they all have essentially the same "vibe". Good beds, the reliable coffee, reliable wifi. But location is key. And a lot of times, that's a toss up. Some are closer to the waterfront. Some are closer to the highway. So, you have to decide what's most important to *you*. Look at a map, weigh your options, and then roll the dice. I don’t think you can go wrong.
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